Head of Merchandising - Fast Fashion

Ready to put your stamp on the UK merchandising strategy of a seriously fast-moving global fashion business?

We're looking for an exceptional Head of Merchandising to join an ambitious international fashion brand at a hugely exciting stage of its UK and European growth.

This is a big, hands on commercial role for someone who gets fast fashion - product obsessed, highly commercial and comfortable making quick decisions in a high volume, reactive environment.

The role

You'll take the lead on merchandising strategy for the UK market, owning everything from seasonal range and assortment planning through to weekly trading, stock, pricing and in season reactions.

Working closely with international product teams alongside UK Buying, Design, Retail and Marketing, you'll have real influence over what gets bought, how much, at what price and when.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading the UK merchandising and product strategy
• Owning range architecture, option planning, depth and pricing
• Driving weekly trade and reacting quickly to product performance
• Maximising full price sales, margin, sell through and stock turn
• Identifying the next big product and category opportunities
• Influencing global teams with UK and European market insight
• Leading replenishment, stock rebalancing, promotions and markdown strategy
• Building slicker, faster merchandising processes
• Leading and developing the merchandising team
• Helping shape the function as the business scales across Europe

Who we're looking for

You could currently be a Merchandising Manager or Head of Merchandising within a fast-fashion, high volume or highly reactive fashion business and be ready for a role with serious scope.

You'll need strong product instinct alongside the numbers - someone who can look at the trade, spot what's working and make confident commercial decisions quickly.

Mandarin/Chinese language skills are essential, as you'll work closely with global teams.

You'll also need:

• Strong UK fashion market and customer knowledge
• Excellent trading, stock and analytical skills
• Experience owning significant product categories or business areas
• A genuinely commercial, product led mindset
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• The confidence to challenge, influence and make things happen
• The ability to thrive in a fast paced environment where things move quickly

Why this one?

Because it's not a role where you'll simply inherit a department and keep things ticking over.

You'll have the opportunity to build, influence and shape the merchandising function, work directly with global product teams and play a major part in the continued growth of the brand across the UK and Europe.

If you love fast fashion, product, pace and trade and speak Mandarin - this could be a brilliant next move.